Apparatus for firing explosives in wells.



'ETBNTED MAY 28, l90'7.

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L. E, BROADWATEIin APPARATUS FOR FIRING EXPLOSIVES IN WELLS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.1B.1907.

WTNESSES: Mdm".

PATENTBD MAY 28, 190'?.

L. E, BRODWATER. APPARATUS FOR PIRING EXPLGSIVES IN WELLS.

APYLIOATION FILED EEB. 18. 190?.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEErcE.

LUKE H. BROADWATER, OF FINDLA'Y, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS POWDER COMPANY, OF XVILMINGTON, DELAW'ARE, A COR- PORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

APPARATUS FOR FIRING EXPLOSIVES IN WELLS.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented May 28, 1907.

Application filed February 18, 1907. Serial No. 35 '7.927.

Tool?, whom t may con/cern.-

Be it known that I, LUKE H. BROADWATER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Findlay, county of Hancock, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Apparatus for Firing Explosives in Wells, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

The object of my invention is to produce an apparatus for firing explosives in wells where the firing is produced by electricity. lts purpose primarily is to cause the iiring of the fuse leading to the explosive for the primary charge simultaneously with the rupture of the connection of the firing wires and suspension wires and providing for a delay in the firing of the explosive for the. primary charge, so that the firing and suspension wires may be lifted from the well before th'e main charge is exploded.

Further, it provides for certain details of construction which are general improvements in such apparatus.

Speaking generally, I accomplish this result by simultaneously liring the fuse, which controls the explosive for the primary charge, and an explosive which controls the connection of the firing wires and suspension Wires with the apparatus. Further, in sealing the fuse chamber from the chamber containing the explosive which controls the connection of the firing wiresand suspension wires with the apparatus.

I will first describe the embodiment of my invention shown in the accompanying drawings and then specifically point out the invention in the claims.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of my improved fuse. Fi 2 is a partial section showing modified met od of 'igniting Fig. 8 is a partial elevation showing separate suspension'wire. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of a modified form of my invention. Fig. 5 is a partial section showing modified method of igniting.

(L is a metallic cylinder, having at the top the cap I) and at the bottom the cap c. Within this cylinder is the fuse d. Above this cylinder a, is the cylinder e, closed at the bottom by the cap and at the top by the capf.

Projecting through an orifice in the cap c is the copper casingg, closed at its lower end and having its upper end, Within the. cylinder a, open. The lower end of the fuse d projects into this casing and in contact with an explosive 7L in the casing. This explosive is preferably a fulminate cap. Projecting through the cap b are the electric conductive binding posts i. Projecting through orilices in the capf are the electric conductive. binding posts Projecting through an orifice in the cap f is the casing r, having 011e end closed and an open end within the chamber e. These cylinders (L and e are sealed with respect to themselves and to each other by means of a cylindrical shell l, made in sections, which sections are, When in position, soldered to each other and to the ca is. This cylindrical shell Z is preferably made of tin. Below the cap c is placed sealing material m, Which will attach itself to the cap and tin casing. Above the cap b is placed similar material and in like manner above the capf. Within the casing k is an explosive 25. Attached to the casing c is the bail n. 0 are the firing wires which lead from the source of current supply. These wires pass around the bail n, so that, bv these wires, the apparatus may be suspended and lowered into the well. The Wires 0 are wound around the casing 7c and are attached to the binding posts y'. From the other end ofthe binding posts y' onel set of wires 1, passes to the binding post e,

and thence by Wires 2 respectively to cli )s g, which are attached to the upper end o the fuse ci, and make contact with a resistance wire 1' projecting through said fuse. The other set of wires s from the binding post j connect with the wires of a resistance connected with a fuse ul leading to the explosive 25 in the chamber r. These wires s could be attached tothe Wires of a resistance in a detonator t in the tube c, as shown in detail in Fig. 2. The apparatus so far described is inserted in the vessel w containing the priming charge. portion o'f the circumference of which is attached to the shell l. A portion of this neck is unattached, so as to admit the `insertion of the priming charge at the point of use, andl also to enable [luid in the well, if any, to enter to equalize the pressure upon the vessel w.

This vesel w has the neck az, a

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The apparatus is ,assembled as follows: Sections of the shell l are iirst solderedto each of the caps b, c and f. The casin s g and k are placed in position and soldere to their respective ca s, their contents are then inserted therein, t ebail n having been soldered to the casing c before the contents are inserted. The wires o are then wound around the casing c and connected respectively to the binding posts y', which have previously been placed in position. wires 1 and 2 are properly connected up with their respective binding posts, and the wires s with either the fuse or the wires leadin to the resistance. v The wires 2 are connecte to clips and binding posts, the clips bein connected to one end of the fuse,.which se is then dropped down so-that the other'end enters the tube gl The cylinder a is then placed in position and a section of the shell Z placed around it, which isI soldered to the shell sections connected to the caps b and c. The cylinder e is then placed in position. The cap b is covered with retaining material. The cap is then placed. onvtop of the cylinder e an( the shell section bearing the cap f is soldered to the shell section bearing cap b. Retaining material is also laced within the s hell l above the cap f an below the ca 'c. The vessel wis then connected to the she l l.

Instead of using the shell l I can use the construction shown in Fig. 4, in which the cylinders a and c are formed as a unitary cylinder, provided with osets, 6, and 7, upon which respectively lrest thecaps f, b, and c. In this case there is 'formed a brazed connection between the vessel w and the walls of the cylinder 4. The caps f, b and c, beingvcemented in any well known manner upon the offsets 5, 6 and 7 res ectively.

Instead ofusing t e iiring Wires to suspend the firing apparatus, I can use a separate .wire or cable. mental suspension Wire or cable 20, and the iiring wires o, are wound around the tube c as shown in Fig. 3.

In practice, when the electric current is completed throughl the firing wires, the fuse d and either the fuse u or detonator t are ignited, thus exploding the explosive 25, and rupturing the connection of the ring wires, or firing wires and suspension wires with the apparatus. The use l should be made long enough or of such slow burning qualitythat the firing and vsuspension wires may be removed before the priming charge is ex.- ploded.

The use of the fuse u is preferable to the detonator t, as it insures time for the certain ignition of fuse d. i

Having now fully described my invention,

what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is 1 1. The combination with an apparatus fer firing explosives, comprising a' firing fuse, of

In like manner, the

In that case both the supplel ananas firing wires,- a connection between said ring wires and said apparatus adapted to be 'ruptured by an explosive, an explosive carried by said apparatus, adapted to rupture said connection, and electrical connection between said firing wires and the iring fuse and explosive.

2'. The combination with an apparatus for i firing explosives, comprising a firing fuse, of firing wires, a connection between said 4iiring wires and said apparatus adapted to be ruptured by .an explosive, an explosive carried by said apparatus, adapted to rupture said connection, and electrical connection between said iring wires and th ring fuse and explosive the explosive -an the iii-ing fuse being sealed from each other.

3. The combination with an apparatus for firing explosives, comprising a/firing fuse, ofl

ring wires, a connection between saidiiring wires and said ap aratus -adapted to be ruptured by an exp osive, an explosive carried by said apparatus, adapted to rupture said connection, Iand electrical connection, in multiple, between said yfiring wires4 and the 4firing fuse and explosive.

4. The combination with an apparatus for firing wires, a connection between said firing Wiresl and .said apparatus adapted to be ruptured by'an explosive, an explosive carried by said apparatus, adaptedto rupture 'said connection, an electrical connection, in

multiple, between said firing wires and the firing fuse and explosive, the explosive and the firing fuse being sealed, from each other. 5. In an apparatus for Afiring explosives in wells, the combination with a chamber containing the firing fuse, and .a chamber containing an explosive, of firing wires, a connection between said firing wires and said -apparatus, adapted to be ruptured by said explosive, and electrical connection between said iring wires and the fuse and explosive. 6. In an apparatus for firing explosives in wells, the combination with a sealed chambercontaining the ring fuse, and a sealed chamber containing an explosive, ofring wires, a connection between said firing wires and saidap aratus, adapted to be ruptured by said exp osive, and electrical connection 'between 'said firing wires and the fuse and explosive.

n 7. In an apparatus for 'firing explosives 1n wells, the combination with a chamber con -taining the ring fuse, and. a chamber con-4 taining an explosive, of rmg wires, a connection between said ring Wires and said apparatus, adapted to be ruptured by said explosive and electrical connection, in multiple, between said firing wires and the fuse and explosive.

lfiring explosives, comprising a firing fuse, of

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8. In an apparatus for firingexplosives in.,

wells, the combination with a sealed chamber containing the firing fuse, arid a sealed V- for iiring explosives, comprising a firing fuse,

chamber containing an explosive, of firing wires, a connection between said iiring wires and said apparatus, adapted to be ruptured by said explosive, and electrical connection, in multiple, between said firing wires and the fase and explosive.

9. The combination with an apparatus for firing explosives, comprising a firing fuse, of suspension wires, a connection between said suspension Wires and said apparatus, adapted to be ruptured by an explosive, an explosive carried by said apparatus ada ted to rupture said connection and electricaconnection to the firing fuse and explosive.

- 10. Y The combination Vwith an apparatus of s'uspension'wires, a connection between said suspension Wires and said apparatus yada ted to be ruptured by an explosive, an

exp osive carried by said apparatus, adapted to rupture said connection, and electrical connection tothe firing fuse and explosive, the explosive and the firing fuse being sealed from each other. Y

i 11. The combination with an apparatus for firing explosives, comprising a firing fuse, of suspension wires, a connection between y said suspension wires and said apparatus,

adapted to be ruptured by an explosive, an explosive carried by said apparatus, adapted to rupture said connection, and electrical connection, in multiple, to the firing fuse and explosive.

12. The combination with an apparatus for iiring explosives, comprising a firing fuse, of suspension wires, aconnection between said suspension wires, and said apparatus adapted to be ruptured by an explosive, an explosive carried by said apparatus, adapted to rupture said connection, and electricall connection, in multiple, to the ifirinT fuse and explosive, the explosive and iiring i'use being sealed from each other.

,13. In an apparatus for firing explosives in wells, the combination with a chamber containing lthe ring fuse and a chamber containing an explosive, of suspension wires,`

- a connection between said suspension wires and said ap aratus ada ted to be ruptured by said exp osive and e ectrical connection to said fuse and explosive. I

14. In an apparatus for firing explosives in wells, the combination with a sealed chamber containing the firing fuse, and the sealed chamber containing an explosive, of suspension wires, aconnection between said suspension wires and said apparatus, adapted to be ruptured bysaid explosive, and electrical connection to said fuse and explosive.

15. In an apparatus for firing ex losives in wells, the combination with a seale chamber containing the firing fuse, and a sealed chamber containing an explosive, of suspension wires, a connection between said suspension wires, a connection between said suspension wires and said apparatus, adapted to be ruptured by said explosive, and electrical connection, in multiple, to the firing fuse and explosive.

17. In an apparatus foi` firing explosives in wells, in combination with a sealedchamber, an inverted casing in said chamber containing an explosive, electric conductors leading to said explosive, a second sealed chamber, a firing fuse in said chamber, a casing, adapted to contain an explosive, opening into said chamber, said fuse entering said casing, and electric conductors leading to said fuse."

18. In an apparatus for firing explosives in wells, in combination with a sealed chamber, an inverted casing in said chamber containing an explosive, electric conductors leading to said explosive, a second sealed chamber, a .firing fuse in said chamber, a casing, adapted to contain an explosive, projecting into said said explosive, a,second sealed chamber,V a l iiring Jfuse in said chamber, a casing, adapted to contain an explosive, opening into said chamber, said fuseJl entering said casing, and

electric conductors leading to said fuse.

20. In an apparatus for firing explosives in wells, in combination, a cylinder, caps closing the bottom and top of said cylinder, said caps being sealed, a fuse in said chamber, electric conductors leading to said fuse, a casing, adapted to contain an explosive, opening into said cylinder into which said fuse extends, a second cylinder above the first cylinder, a cap closing the top of said cylinder, an inverted casing, adapted to contain an explosive, opening intosaid cylinder, Ielectric conductors in last mentioned cylinder leading to the casing projecting therein, and to the firing fuse in the first mentioned cylinder.

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a casing, adapted to contain an explosive, opening into said cylinder into which said fuse extends, a4 second cylinder yabove the first cylinder, a cap closing the top of said cylinder, an inverted casing, adapted to contain an explosive, opening into said cylinder,

electric conductors, in multiple in last mentioned cylinder leading to the casing projecting therein and to the firing fuse in the rst mentioned cylinder.

22. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a sealedchamber containing a i'use, a surrounding vessel adapted to contain a primary charge, a pr tion of said vessel being secured to the exterior of said chamber, whereby` liquids may pass or be pressed to the interior of said vessel when said vessel is secured to said chambei'.

23. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination wjith a primary charge, suspension Wires, a connection of the suspension Wires and apparatus, the explosive for iiring the primary chargeand the explosive for rupturing thesuspension Wines connection, of a fuse connected to each explosive, the fuseto the rupturing char e be,=

ing adapted to explode the rupturing c 'arge before the explosive for firing'the primary' aaaaaa apparatus, and ielectrical connection to said firing fuse and said rupturing explosive.

25. The combination With an apparatus for iiring explosives in Wells and its fuse, of suspension .Wires for said apparatus said suspension Wires being` connected to said apparatus, an explosive, adapted to rupture the connectionof said suspension Wires and'said apparatus, and electricalconnection, multiple, to said firing fuse and said rupturing explosive. L

26.L,The combination With an apparatus for firing explosives in Wells and its fuse, of firing Wires for said apparatus said firing Wires being cnnnected to said apparatus, an explosive, adapted to rupture the connection of said firing'wires and said apparatus, and electrical connection from said firing Wires to said iiring fuse an said rupturing explosive. 27. The combination with an apparatus for firing explosives in Wells and its'fuse, of

{i1-ing Wires for said apparatusY said firing. A

Wires being connected to said4 apparatus, an

explosive, adapted'to rupture the connection.v of said firing Wires andsaid apparatus, and electrical connection, in multiple, from said firing Wires to said iring fuse and said rupturing explosive. y

In testimony of Which invention, I havel hereunto set my hand, at Woodbury, on this 14th day of February, i907.

LUKE H. BROADWATER.

I/Vitnesses:

Bassin D. SHARP, FRANCIS B. Davis. 

